Fatal fire in west Loveland ruled accidental

Investigators have determined that the fire was caused by smoking

Investigators from the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority have determined the cause of the early-Thursday morning fire that killed two people.

According to city of Loveland spokesman Tom Hacker, the fire was caused by smoking and started in the living room of the trailer at 1212 Butte Road. Larimer County Sheriff's Office deputies and the Loveland Fire Rescue Authority were called to trailer No. 30 in the Mountain View Mobile Home Park just after midnight on Thursday.

The fire has been ruled accidental.

Upon arrival, crews reportedly found smoke coming from the swamp cooler and flames coming from a side window. Firefighters pulled the two residents from the trailer but both were declared dead on scene.

Hazel Piper, 70, and 50-year-old Harvard Preston Thomas both died in the fire, the Larimer County Coroner's Office determined following an autopsy on Thursday. Their deaths were ruled accidental. According to neighbors, Piper and Thomas were mother and son.

Five dead pets --four cats and one dog -- were also found dead inside the trailer.

Jessica Maher can be reached at 669-5050, ext. 516, or . Follow her on Twitter: @JessicaMaherRH.

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